Rather than a custom idler/sprocket, why not just a use a thicker cylinder base gasket and leave everything else alone? (Like you do for align bored cases.) What am I missing?

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Would affect the compression ratio. Of course if there was a lot of machining done, it might be an appropriate solution.

I couldn't tell from the wording.

Did you replace all of the sprockets?

chain "stretch" is mostly due to worn sprockets. It adds up. All three sprockets, per side.

My experience is a Night and day difference between the running position of the idler arm before and after replacing the chain and all sprockets.

From the pictures you posted you have later 3.6 pistons and cylinders on a early case. The stud spacing on the 3.6 was wider than the 3.0/3.2 engines. The deck height on the 3.6 cases was also taller (so cylinders are shorter). You can modify 3.6 cylinders to work on earlier cases by doing the following. Drill stud holes on cylinder inward enough to fit on 3.0/3.2 studs. Add spacers to bottom of cylinders to correct height difference (around 2mm). Bore case spigots to larger size of 3.6 cylinders. I have heard of using the 3.6 pistons with the shorter stroke 3.0 or 3.2 cranks and rods. Since 3.6 cylinders are plentiful and relatively inexpensive compared to Mahle or Nickies this can be a loser cost alternative. In this case it sounds like the spacers are not quite thick enough to get the correct height and thus the chains are too long. I would recommend contacting Henry at Supertech as he is familiar with doing these 3.6 cylinder modifications and could provide you with the correct cylinder spacers.

thanks,

john